We’ve all heard that the City has concerns about the initiative. We’ve also heard that SunCal has agreed to resolve all of their major concerns. So, just what are these concerns and how can they be resolved?
Alameda citizens should know that SunCal has been meeting with City staff on a weekly basis for several months to negotiate the project’s business points. SunCal is continuing to work with City staff on the terms of a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA).
Many say that nothing can change the terms of the Development Agreement (DA) that is part of the initiative, therefore negotiations are not useful. This is simply not true.
The DA is strictly a land-use document that sets the framework for land use at Alameda Point. The Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) specifically requires that concerns related to achieving fiscal neutrality be addressed in the DDA. The DDA is the appropriate document to refine the business point of this public/private partnership and to clarify the terms and conditions involving the project. The DDA is the correct document to address specific business points about which the City has expressed concern. In fact, the DA specifically states: “Nothing in this Development Agreement limits the discretion of the ARRA, CIC and/or Developer in establishing in the DDA, or such other contract between the CIC and the Developer, certain development and phasing obligations of the Developer.”
For City leaders to say that they like the plan but not the business terms of the initiative is nothing but a smoke screen.
